The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox as a global health emergency amid a new outbreak in numerous African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Confirming the news today (14 August) at a press conference WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the ongoing situation in Africa was 'very worrying'.
"This is something that should concern us all ... The potential for further spread beyond Africa and beyond is very worrying," he said.
What is mpox?
Formerly referred to as 'monkeypox', mpox is a viral illness which is caused by the monkeypox virus. The disease is commonly considered to be a less severe version of smallpox.
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According to the WHO, mpox was originally transmitted from animals to humans but can now spread from person to person via close contact with someone who is infected. It's thought that the virus enters the body via broken skin, the respiratory tract and via the eyes, nose, mouth or genitals.
Transmission occurs from skin-to-skin contact, sex or breathing/talking near an infected person. You can also become unwell from interacting with contaminated objects such as clothing and bedding.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Symptoms of mpox begin to show up around one week after transmission, with infection lasting in the body for around 14 and 21 days. However, this can be longer in a person with a weakened or compromised immune system.
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Common symptoms of mpox include:
- Rash
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Back pain
- Low energy
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Severe cases of mpox can also see the patient break out in lesions across the body, with the mouth, eyes and genitals being common areas for these to occur. A person which lesions from mpox remains infectious until their skin has healed completely.
Where are mpox cases being reported?
The majority of mpox cases are currently being reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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According to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, cases have increase by 160 percent and deaths are up 19 percent compared with the same period last year.
So far, there have been over 14,000 cases and 524 people have passed away.
The CDC added that mpox cases have now been reported in 13 countries across the continent, with previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda now confirming outbreaks.
This is the second time in two years where mpox has been declared a health emergency by WHO, with the last major outbreak occurring in 2022.
Topics: Health, World News
Brenna Cooper